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This week, I had a virtual meeting with Deputy Mayor Lindsey Appiah and Police Chief Pamela Smith of Washington, D.C., to learn directly from their recent experience with the National Guard and their partnerships with federal law enforcement. As we consider what is coming next, it is important to think about the resources in two buckets - the National Guard and the twenty-two federal agencies that will support our existing Memphis-focused initiatives.
In D.C., the work was framed around three key areas: law enforcement, beautification, and homelessness services. That structure gave residents a clear picture of what was happening, aligned partner agencies around shared goals, and kept the community at the center.
What we heard was encouraging. The Guard there served as “eyes and ears on the streets,” more like a large-scale neighborhood watch than frontline police officers. This extended police capacity brought a sense of calm, and at the end of the 30-day deployment, the community feedback they received was generally positive. The other federal agencies that engaged in DC partnered with the city to bring more resources and capacity to the work DC was already doing in the three key areas.
For Memphis, I choose to view this as an opportunity. My commitment is to make sure every resource we receive strengthens our city, not just for today, but for the long term.
Law Enforcement. Memphis is already making progress. Crime is down across the board — overall crime dropped 13% last year and is down another 16% so far this year. Homicides fell 20% last year and are down nearly 30% this year, reaching lows we haven’t seen in decades. This doesn’t happen by chance; it’s the result of smart strategy, community partnerships, and the dedication of our officers.
With additional support from federal partners, we can continue building on that momentum. But public safety is about more than crime stats — it’s also about the quality of life in our neighborhoods.
Community Beautification. I believe this is where the National Guard can help us most. A cleaner, safer city doesn’t happen by accident. It takes planning, persistence, and partnerships.
We’re already investing heavily in this work: grass cutting, litter pickup, and graffiti removal. Our Blight Zero teams and Community Enhancement Division are out daily clearing lots and tackling problem properties. And now, with additional hands and resources, we can scale that work — clearing more vacant lots, removing more trash, and restoring more blocks. Clean streets are a crime prevention tool, an economic development strategy, and a morale booster all at once.
“For Memphis, I choose to view this as an opportunity. My commitment is to make sure every resource we receive strengthens our city, not just for today, but for the long term.”
Anti-blight work has been a core part of my stronger city strategy. And this is an opportunity to use federal resources to win.
Homelessness. We also know that homelessness requires lasting solutions. In Memphis, we have a strong eco-system, with many partners working on the core issues. Under this effort, we will identify gaps in our service model and work to bring additional resources to provide much needed housing and support to our neighbors. From housing vouchers to tiny homes, from job readiness to mental health support, our goal is to create permanent pathways forward.
The Road Ahead. For me, this is about people, not politics. Yes, I am a Democratic mayor and I don’t believe the National Guard is the right tool for driving down crime, but this situation calls on me to reach across the aisle. It calls on us to do what is best for our community in this moment and for our future.
That’s why I am leaning into this moment as an opportunity to secure more resources for our community — resources that will fuel pride, restore neighborhoods, and keep us on the path toward safer streets and stronger futures.
Because my job as your mayor is to do what’s right for Memphis every single day. Not because it’s partisan, but because it’s the correct thing to do. To help Memphis be its best, to ensure our people get the best, and to make sure the progress we make is lasting.
Own Your Block: Pride in Action
I believe blight and crime are linked, and that every Memphian deserves a community they can feel proud of. That’s why our Community Enhancement Division is out every day tackling problem properties, and why we’ve launched a zone strategy for street cleaning to ensure neighborhoods across the city are consistently cared for.
This weekend, our community partners' civic pride will be on full display during Own Your Block, with more than 50 churches leading neighborhood cleanups, beautification projects, and acts of service across Memphis. Our Faith Community has been a powerful force for good in Memphis, so if you see them out working in your neighborhood, please thank them! Or, better yet, join them!
Good News!
   Do you have good news to share? We would love to share it! Send us a note at goodnews@memphistn.gov
Track Our Progress
The linked reports below provide evidence to support our public safety strategy and our work to ensure municipal fiscal responsibility. These dashboard provides a quick overview, with the ability to dive in deeper to neighborhoods and divisions. Both dashboards updates daily.
 SAFER COMMUNITIES: For more info on how to use the safer communities dashboard, go here. Or for the whole dashboard, go here. FINANCE TRACKER: For more info on how to use the finance tracker dashboard, go here, then follow the prompts to the tracker.
Our Blight Strike Team worked in the following zip codes this week: 38106, 38107, 38108, 38109, 38114, 38116, 38118, 38126, 38127, 38128.
To report concerns related to property violations, potholes, and trash, click the link here or call 311 to speak to a live agent.
 In the Know: Want to know what's happening in Memphis? Explore these event calendars to stay in the loop on all the city has to offer!
Memphis Public Libraries
Memphis Parks
Memphis Travel
Arts Memphis
Choose901
I love Memphis
Our Era of Yes Town Hall: Oakhaven. Join us for an important community conversation on Tuesday, September 30, at The Healing Center, 3885 Tchulahoma Rd. The Resource Hub opens at 5pm, followed by a Q&A with Mayor Young at 6pm. See more and share here.
Library Card Sign Up Month:
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, and there’s no better time to explore all that Memphis Public Libraries has to offer. 📚
We’re especially excited to celebrate with the newest addition to our library family—the Frayser Library! Stop by, sign up for your card, and unlock a world of learning, connection, and opportunity.
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